State Records Commission

The State Records Commission is established as a policy commission in the Code of Iowa (Chapter 305) to provide economy and efficiency in the creation, organization, maintenance, use, preservation and disposition of records to assure that needless records will not be created or retained and to assure that valuable records will be preserved.

Commission Responsibilities

The State Records Commission, through the State Archives and Records Program maintains the State of Iowa Records Management Manual which includes records series retention and disposition schedules that have been reviewed and adopted by the State Records Commission. These schedules direct state agencies in the maintenance and final disposition (permanent preservation in the State Archives or destruction) of records. Records of state agencies may not be destroyed unless prior approval of the commission is obtained of if a records retention schedule in the State Records Management Manual provides for destruction of the records in question.

The State Records Commission is charged with adopting and disseminating standards for reproduction and retention of records. The State Records Commission also assists with training and instructing state agencies and their internal records management representatives in records management techniques.

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Responsibilities

Secretary to the Commission and maintain its records

Administer the State Archives of Iowa

Provide advice and services on the care and management of both historic and non-historic state government records and management